May 2013 surgeries

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  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited May 2013

    ckmoss - I go by Cyndy. We do have that in common and we are both from SC.

    IKEA wore me out!!



    I have been having sharp pains where my drains were on my left side and when I move my arm a certain way the pain shoots through my side and around my breast (well where it used to be) and it is excruciating. Has anyone had that happen? This morning it started burning too. I hope this is something normal.



    Sounds like everyone is doing pretty good. I'm glad for you all. Keeping those in my prayers that are just having surgeries.



  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013

    Chimneymae-Wow..IKEA ..you took on the beast!

    Honestly, I might would call the dr's nurse and asked about that pain.  When did you get your drains out? I had pain where they took them out the day after..like everytime I walked I could feel them..reallll sore..to the point I took a percocet, something I hadnt done for a few days..(except to get them out). But 2 days after they were out..they are ok. I am not a super healer and very little tolerance for pain, so I would call if I were you..can't hurt.

    You are lucky to live close to the beach!  We are in the upstate..Are you going to Charleston for your PS? Apparently, they have the best in the state.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    ckmoss, I got an error when trying to send a message to you.  It appears I've reached my quota of private messages today.  

    yea, 3:45 is my appointment.  We're going to try and leave a little early and stop by to see the oncologist to see if they've met yet.  I'll bring her cookies too.  I'm not above bribing.  I SO want to skip radiation, and like I told her, what the hell are you trying to radiate?  You killed everything with the chemo already.  There was nothing in the pathology.  Laughing

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013

    See! Thats how I feel...my problem is going to be my oncologist is from Sloan-kettering..a brainiac..travels all over the world and does lectures to other oncologist..like it was a big deal in papers when our city got him...so, for me to say I don't want radiation mainly because all this skin I save during surgery will have to thrown out ..will not fly with him..but my surgeon told me to put it to him like you basically just said.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    My thought is, and I told her this, that I would love to skip radiation.  With that said, I will follow whatevery she recommends, because my pathology was clear because of her drugs.  So she knows what she is doing.  I have complete confidence in my docs, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to voice my feelings on it.

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013

    Well yeah. I wouldn't refuse. But he's going to have to give me good reason..other than well just to be sure..because they got all cancer at MX time..and the whole point of me doing this MX was so I wouldn't have to worry about it anymore...only small perc it will come back there) and doing chemo..as he puts it for precaution only.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    I hear you.  I did chemo first, it killed it all.  Nothing was found during surgery and I did double mastectomy and 6 lymph nodes removed.  

  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited May 2013

    GoWithTheFlow, good luck with your bribing!

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited May 2013

    Ckmoss: I had my drains out on the 23rd. It didn't hurt at all but it was a little sore. The pain started yesterday. I was in the car and when I lifted my arm a little it felt like someone stabbed me in the side. If feels really tight there like I'm pulling on something when I move. I will call the nurse navigator today and see what she says. Yes my PS is in Charleston. I go to him on Monday for my first fill since surgery.



    Yeah we are about an hour and a half from the beach. Me and the DH are planning to go in July with our son and daughter-in-law. I am so looking forward to it.



    I'm with you, ckmoss. My oncologist said it was all gone with BMX, but is still running the oncotype dx test to see if I need Chemo as a precaution. I'm not so sure about that. I'm also scared of the aromatase inhibitors too. I've read alot of horror stories about the side effects of those too.



    It seems like you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013

    Chimneymae-I know what you mean! 

    Also, in ref to pain..if its under your arm that you feel pain when you raise it..I get that too..but I don't think you should still be feeling anything where your drains were...under my arm is swollen and it pulls there if I over reach and I'm still sore in MX site.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    I just want to throw up thinking about these drains coming out.  Just tried to lay down before going, and my pain isn't good.  I couldn't find the tub tint tablets to make the water in my squirt gun pinkish red, so I'll just put plain water in there and squirt my surgeon if it hurts.  :D

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited May 2013


    Will still be funny! You are going to feel better once they come out..if nothing else that pain from where they go into your skin will be gone..although sore..DONT FORGET TO TAKE PAIN PILL BEFORE YOU LEAVE...OR TWO

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013
  • kayezzy66
    kayezzy66 Member Posts: 116
    edited May 2013

    I did have alot of lymph nodes removed,but only 1 had cancer..trying to excerise my arm,and iceing it ..its gonna get better!!!!

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    My drains are out, my drains are out!  And I squirted the doctor with my squirt guns.  Laughing  I go back tuesday afternoon to just be checked again, but I'm sleeping in a bed tonight!!!!!!  SO damn excited about that!

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited May 2013

    Yay!!!! Gowiththeflow!! I know just how you feel. It felt so good to sleep in a bed and to be able to shower without worrying about those drains.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    Unfortunately, I cannot shower now til Sunday morning.  But honestly, I'll deal with it because sleeping in a bed is more important.  I only have stubble on my head, so as long as I wash well with a cloth, no one will know.  

  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited May 2013

    GoWithTheFlow, Yippee! I am so happy for you (and a bit jealous, mine won't come out until next Tuesday). What a nice way to start the weekend.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited May 2013

    And, I drove 2 miles to CVS just now to get my meds refilled and pick up a few things.  The only problem I had was backing up.  It's hard to twist your body to look behind you.  I had taken my vicodin at 3:00 and figured I'd run out and get the prescription filled at 7:00 when it was out of my system.  Survived, but couldn't wait to take my pain med.  Sore, but not in the same way I was.  I'm sure it will feel a lot better each day now.

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    GoWith=YEaaaaaaa!  I am so happy for you!  Did he laugh when you squirted him with the guns! lol!

    You are right about backing up..I had to run to store today and made sure I pulled in space I could go through to the other side and not have to back up..if I'm explaining that right.  I thought about you around 4..I had old friend from like since we were 9 over and we talked so long just now had chance to get back on here.  You had a happy day!  Have a good rest!

    Ann, Sweetpickle, Run4us,Chantel and others have a good night as well.

    Chimneymae-Did you call today about the pain? I hope you are feeling better!

    kayez66-Hope its feeling better..haven't heard about putting ice..have heat..haven't tried either..has the ice helped?

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Yes, apparently he's quite the jokester and plays practical jokes on everyone.  He LOVED the squirt guns and I left him with them.  :D

  • Chinneymae
    Chinneymae Member Posts: 339
    edited June 2013

    Ckmoss- They haven't called back. But you know, I haven't had anymore pain since this morning. I'm thinking it's just the numbness wearing off and I'm getting these different twinges. I have an appt. on Monday with the PS so if I don't hear from nurse navigator by then I'll tell the PS and see what he says. Thanks for asking.



    I hope everyone has a restful night!



    Gowiththeflow- I know you will!! :)

  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited June 2013

    Yay Gowiththeflow! So happy for you and I hope you have a wonderful nights sleep tonight.



    Ckmoss-love your puppy avatar!



    Hope those that had surgery this week are feeling better!

  • jakig
    jakig Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2013

    Just to update- I went to local ER for pain management. My Left mastectomy was May 30th, so I'm 2 days post-op now. My pain level is MUCH lower than the awful pain before surgery, so I just believe the removal of the cancer was what my body was screaming for. Nodes were all clear. One drain. But I do have some swelling around incision and under arm. Friend says this is normal. I'm a little confused on how much to elevate, and whether or not I can use cold packs?? Any suggestions on dealing with minimal to medium swelling post op? Going back to bed for a while. Whew. So glad the 1st surgery was a success and is over...

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    i slept great!  Wasn't easy to get  comfortable, but so much nicer than not being comfortable in a lazy boy.  :D  Hope everyone else got a good night sleep too!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    Hey, warriors. Just wanted to say: congrats on finishing the first battle! You are on your way to winning the war, I just KNOW it!



    Have a great weekend!

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    jakig, glad you got the pain checked out.  I had my surgery on the 22nd and have been checked twice since then.  I have some puffiness, but nothing I'd call swelling.  I slept in a recliner at night and sat in a recliner or lounge chair during the day.  That was "elevated" enough for me.

    I never felt the need for cold packs but maybe someone else can chime in with their experience.  (((HUGS)))

  • ckmoss
    ckmoss Member Posts: 613
    edited June 2013

    GoWith-The butterfly pillow worked great!!! It took me a minute to figure it out but once I did was able to sleep on the MX side.  You are an angel!

    Jakig-I was told ..several times...to elevate my arm at a 45 degree angle for 45 minutes 3 times a day..and, at least 2ce a day, to do fist clinches..I used a stress ball..to bring down swelling..also help drains produce to get crap out of you..(still have "blood snot"..as post prev by member in my head..lol..aptly put)..this did help a lot with swelling and really when I was sore,,it helped ease that.  I didn't do ice packs..but I've seen others in site have.

    I hate the numbness. The feeling of water hitting all that numb makes me feel like I have melted cold wax plastered to me...showers not as enjoyable as once..Im in and out.  I guess this will pass   ???

    Question for ones that have been through chemo..I checked out that board and was shocked to hear that your toenails and fingernails can call out...IS THIS TRUE?..I haven't been much worried about chemo..thinking nausea, fatigue..hair loss..but OMG.

  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    ckmoss, my nails got sore towards the end of my chemo.  I had 4 doses of AC, and 12 doses of taxol.  Probably at about 9 doses, my nails started to feel like they were slammed in a cabinet door.  And they became discolored a bit.  Dark streaks through a few of the nail beds.  When I knew my counts were okay, I would go for a mani/pedi (no cutting of cuticles, and no shaving bottom of feet) and would have gell polish put in (it doesn't chip and I would make it last a month).  I think the heavy polish does coat your nails and keep them strong.  A few of mine felt a little loose, but nothing ever came off thankfully.  Just another shitty side effect, but it's manageable.  A cheap, good cream for your feet is udderly smooth.  I got it at bed bath and beyond, but I bet you can probably find it at walmart or target or cvs.  I still use it today!

    Oh, and glad the pillow worked.  Thank you to (and my brain isn't working) the woman who told you about it!  I used my tube pillow last night.  That worked good too.  It's one of those round noodle looking pillows I got in a gift basket.  

  • cateyz2
    cateyz2 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2013

    Well ladies my surgey went well, two drains and as I understan no node involvement, Drs should be in sometime this morning.

    And on a positive sign no pain when the injected dye, this hospital puts a little bit of Lidocaine in the syringe befor dye so its numb .

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